Stable colonization of Akkermansia muciniphila educates host intestinal microecology and immunity to battle against inflammatory intestinal diseases

Experimental & Molecular Medicine, Published online: 04 January 2023; doi:10.1038/s12276-022-00911-zA modified gut bacterium that can colonize the gut more effectively with the help of magnets could offer a novel treatment for inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). In experiments on mouse models, Ming Cui at the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, China, and co-workers showed that when the bacterium Akkermansia muciniphila successfully colonizes the gut it repairs damage caused by IBD and boosts the proliferation of another probiotic bacterium, Lactobacillus murinus. To enhance colonization chances, the team added Fe3O4 nanoparticles to the bacterium as well as mannose, a sugar monomer that is drawn to the macrophages present in inflamed regions. The magnetic A. muciniphila was then attracted to the correct part of the gut and held in place using magnets on the skin. Initial experiments suggest that this safely enhances stable colonization.

Source: Experimental and Molecular Medicine - January 4, 2023 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Bin Wang Xuheng Chen Zhiyuan Chen Huiwen Xiao Jiali Dong Yuan Li Xiaozhou Zeng Jinjian Liu Guoyun Wan Saijun Fan Ming Cui Source Type: research